Youngster involved in spot-fixing scandal named in Roos squad

A little-known 21-year-old English lower league footballer who was recently embroiled in a spot-fixing scandal is a shock selection in Australia's World Cup squad.

The Melbourne-born Preston North End central defender Bailey Wright was among a youthful 30-man Socceroos preliminary squad named on Wednesday by Australia coach Ange Postecoglou for the World Cup finals in Brazil.

In April Wright was one of six Preston North End players arrested and bailed in what has been described as English football's biggest ever spot-fixing investigation.

All players have denied any wrongdoing, and Wright has also been allowed to finish the season with Preston North End, which is on the cusp of being elevated to the Championship.

Postecoglou took over from German Holger Osieck just six months ago and had promised to ease out Australia's ageing 'golden generation' in favour of younger players.

He has selected a provisional party with an average age of 25 for the June 12-July 13 tournament, where Australia have been drawn with world champions Spain, the Netherlands and Chile.